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Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The Fort Dodge softball team celebrates their 16-4 win over Sioux City East on Tuesday night at Rogers Park to advance to their fourth straight state tournament. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net
There are stars everywhere on the Fort Dodge softball team.
At the plate. In the field. Working from the pitcher’s circle.
The talent alone is arguably enough to take the second-ranked (Class 5A) Dodgers as far as they want to go.
Physical ability doesn’t control the central nervous system of the program alone, though. Fort Dodge’s secret weapon was on full display not just during, but after the team’s 16-4, four-inning rout of Sioux City East in the Region 1 championship on Tuesday night at Rogers Park.
The smiles. Hugs. Pictures. Laughs. The Dodgers enjoy playing the game, and they do it for each other.
Wins, statistics and records are the fruits of the labor. FDSH has organically established its brand through years of physical work and emotional bonding. Success is the ultimate goal, of course, but sheer enjoyment is the driving factor. And no one can fake the kind of fun head coach Andi Adams’s squad is having heading into a fourth consecutive state tournament appearance.
“We just love playing and being around each other,” said senior all-state catcher Tristin Doster, who continued her torrid stretch by going 3-for-4 with a home run and five runs batted in. “This is what it’s all about. Celebrating together, knowing that all the time we put into this has us back at state and going for (a championship) in front of our fans and community.
“We’re just really lucky. We’re trying to soak it all in and enjoy every moment.”
The Dodgers (35-4 overall) wasted little time against the Black Raiders (20-20) on an evening in which the Nos. 1, 3 and 4 squads in 5A were surprisingly eliminated. Fort Dodge plated nine runs in the second inning to open the floodgates.
Even when East snapped the Dodgers’ 10-game, 50-inning scoreless streak by cracking the ice with four runs off of ace pitcher Jalen Adams, that only gave the FDSH offense more time and motivation to add to their 20-hit attack.
“We’re not taking any chances or assuming anything at this point,” Coach Adams said. “If you look at what happened to other top teams (in the regional finals, with Muscatine, Johnston and Indianola going home), you have to stay aggressive and can’t let up. This sport will trip you up when you least expect it. So we’re definitely thankful and relieved to (make it back to state for sixth time in seven years).
“I really liked our approach. We hit the ball hard (with four doubles and a home run), but used our speed (seven infield hits and seven stolen bases). Everyone got a hit. Everyone contributed. When our offense is clicking, showing patience and being smart, we have a lot of really tough outs.”
Dodger juniors Tory Bennett and Maia Davis added three hits each, with Bennett scoring three times as well. Seniors Chloe Wertz and Sophia Klinger added two hits each, as did junior Martyne Lowrey and Adams. Wertz, Klinger and Lowrey all drove in a pair.
Doster’s long ball — a deep drive to right-center in the third inning — was a two-run shot. Fittingly, Doster — the school’s career leader — officially tied a new single-season team record for home runs as well with the blast.
“There’s nothing like this home atmosphere,” Doster smiled. “We do this for all of them. Being able to celebrate with them after a game like this — it’s when we’re at our best, not just as players, but Fort Dodgers.
“We can’t wait for next week.”
Adams (22-1) worked her way around the hiccup in the third inning for the victory, allowing four earned runs and three hits with six strikeouts. Evie Larson looped a bases-clearing, three-run double just over the head of Chloe Wertz in left field to plate three of the four runs.
“We knew (East) had some solid hitters,” Coach Adams said. “It was good for Jalen to experience this (Adams had given up three total earned runs in her last 96 innings of work before Tuesday). She’s not a machine. And the most important thing: the offense and the defense picked her up.
“That’s what I love most about this group: it’s not about the individual stuff. They’re all there for each other. When one player struggles, someone else is always there to pick up the slack. Not just on the field, but giving the support they need to help build their confidence back up.”
Fort Dodge was making its 11th consecutive appearance in the regional finals, and 18th in 21 seasons under Adams. The Dodgers are headed to state for the 12th time during Adams’s tenure as the defending 5A runner-up.
“Making it back to state means so much for me and the girls,” Jalen Adams said. “We’re going to enjoy every moment and have each other’s backs in each pitch of each game all the way up until the end.”
FDSH will meet 13th-ranked Bettendorf (24-15) on Tuesday night in a 5A quarterfinal rematch from a year ago. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. on Diamond 1 at Rogers Park.
The winner faces either Waukee (32-10) or defending champion Cedar Rapids Kennedy (27-9) on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. on Diamond 2.
“We’ll be ready,” Adams said. “I don’t care who got ‘upset’ on paper: all eight teams (in the field) are capable and played well to get (to state). We know what can happen in a one-and-done situation. You have to go out and earn it. We’re all in the coliseum together now. The strongest and most mentally tough group will come out on top.”
FORT DODGE 16, SIOUX CITY EAST 4 (4)
SC East 004 0 — 4 3 1
Fort Dodge 293 2 — 16 20 0
WP–Jalen Adams (22-1; 4 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K). 2B–FD: Jalen Adams 2, Martyne Lowrey, Chloe Wertz; SCE: Evie Larson, Brylee Hempey. HR–FD: Tristin Doster. SB–FD: Tory Bennett 2, Maia Davis 2, Sophia Klinger, Chloe Wertz, Martyne Lowrey.